Has anyone else picked it up? I'm about 20 hours into it and I'm loving it about as much as the first one. It jumps right into the action also, no snowball fight, hardly any exposition. The story is as simple as "I never miss a chance to write my name into a library book" (which just happens to be the book that transports you to ivalice.) The main character is likable and his rash behavior obscures a deep thoughtfulness that allows him to fool damn near every critic he has. There really is some truly cool dialogue between him and the supporting cast.
While this means that the story is a bit lacking in terms of depth and character interaction compared to TA (which has one of the most mature and deep literarily significant plots of any final fantasy; you are the villain, for instance) it's easier to get into than in TA, and the characters, while not very deep, are likable and cheery.
Laws are much better now. There is only one law per map and you get a bonus for following it (like regen and extra power and stuff). If you break it no sweat; you just can't revive people anymore (not a big deal when you can't raise yet and you don't use items) and you lose the regen or power boost. They are much more like suggestions than laws, and there is no jail at all.
Gameplay is otherwise nearly identical to FFTA, and just as addictive. Battles flow a bit faster also, which was one of my criticisms of the original TA.
8/10 (Meaning excelent score, with few flaws; worth buying if you like srpgs)